ABA Names New Chief Political Strategist

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​WASHINGTON — Rob Engstrom has been named chief political strategist for the American Bankers Association, the trade association for the nation’s $17 trillion banking industry and its two million employees. In his new role, Engstrom will oversee the critical components of ABA’s political engagement operations: the Fund for Economic Growth, BankPac, grassroots and the ABA-State Association alliance.

“Rob’s knowledge and experience will be a tremendous asset in ABA’s continuing effort to improve the policy environment for America’s banks,” said Rob Nichols, ABA’s president and CEO. “Rob’s leadership and political expertise will be essential as we advocate for policies that will allow banks to better serve their clients, customers and communities. We’re thrilled to have him on board.”

“ABA is the banking industry’s voice in Washington, and I look forward to doing what I can to strengthen that voice,” Engstrom said. “America’s banks are the lifeblood of the economy, and working closely with our state association colleagues, we will make sure the nation’s elected officials understand and appreciate the critical role the industry plays.”

As senior vice president and national political director at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Engstrom has been leading the U.S. Chamber’s national political, grassroots and election-related activities, and oversaw an aggressive voter education campaign in 2014 that helped elect pro-business candidates to Congress. In 2016, Engstrom directed the largest and most sophisticated get-out-the-vote effort in the U.S. Chamber’s history, helping secure victories for 95 percent of its endorsed candidates.

Engstrom is forming a consulting firm that will allow him to carry out his new ABA responsibilities while also continuing to provide political direction to the U.S. Chamber. Engstrom begins his work for ABA today.

Engstrom previously served as senior vice president of political and state affairs for the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, where he directed all state-level voter education, grassroots and advocacy efforts, and served as the chief liaison between ILR and state chambers of commerce. Engstrom has extensive campaign experience. He was recognized by Campaigns & Elections magazine as one of the top 50 influencers in the 2014 election.

Engstrom resides in Alexandria, Va., with his wife Celina. He was raised in Atlanta, Ga., and is a graduate of Baylor University in Texas.

The American Bankers Association is the voice of the nation’s $17 trillion banking industry, which is composed of small, regional and large banks that together employ more than 2 million people, safeguard $13 trillion in deposits and extend more than $9 trillion in loans.